Work and Weaknessess

Good Friday morning friends and family. I normally would be at work right now but my sweetie and I took the day off because our anniversary is tomorrow and we NEED a little us time. All week long I have waited and dreamed about this day. Oh how I would sleep in and just be lazy but NO at 6:45 I am wide awake. Stupid job {HA! not really}.
So, I have been at work a month now and I really love working at Ross. I start at 7am in the cash office {I can't really tell you all that I do because thanks to all sorts of social media and the trash telling that goes on I had to sign a waiver} and when I am done I work on the floor for about an hour and half. I am off at 11. My boss is great and the team I work with are great also. But to tell the truth I have not adjusted yet. Between my home, my family, my church, the Ladies Department {I am a sectional director} and now work I feel so BEHIND and at times overwhelmed. I did not anticipate this.
I am a Mary stuck in Martha's body. I love God with all my heart but it is hard for me to stop doing all the work and choose the "better part". I think this is my greatest weakness. I strive for daily relationship but sad to say many times I choose laundry or house work or Sunday School lessons over God. This past week at Midweek Manna Joel taught about Lot being a righteous man and yet God never warned him about what was to come. Why? God spoke to me why because even though he was righteous he had no relationship. So I have been asking myself am I so busy being righteous that God cannot speak to me because I have spent no time with Him.
I really am not trying to be a Debbie Downer. I think I am a little sleep deprived this morning. HA! Seriously, how do you all keep up with everything and still find time to cultivate a relationship with God? I am a pretty organized gal but lately I am having doubts.
Now I feel better. Thanks for letting me share what has been weighing on me. My WHOLE family is now awake and they all are needing my attention. Next to confession, cooking is good for the soul. Blueberry Pancakes sound good.
Blueberry Pancakes for the Working Mom
Bisquick
Eggs
Milk
Blueberries
Follow the instructions on the box and add fresh blueberries.
Enjoy with the most wonderful family God ever gave a mom!!!

Harvest and Happenings

Yeah I'm back. This HUGE... two post in one month!!!

So much has transpired since my last post so I will apologize now if this is a bit lengthy. Please don't feel like you have to read it all but thanks to those of you who really love me and do. Ha!

Back in December Joel had a pastor friend ask us {our church} to join with them in Forty Days of Fire. For those of you who do not know what this is, it is a time set aside for prayer and fasting. At first Joel felt we should go a different direction and was indecisive. A few days later his elder Bro. Gonzales from Chicago called and asked the same thing!!! So we really felt like God was leading us to do this. So as of January 1 we have been praying and fasting and God has been moving!!! The week after my first post we went on a technology and media fast. Oh boy was that one difficult. {Thus no blog post last week.} This week we have been on the Daniel's Fast. I must admit it took a lot preparation for this week but I have "sort" of enjoyed this week. I did find some pretty yummy recipes. Although, I think I am in detox. I keep having horrible headaches. I really miss bread and dessert!! Ha! But God is moving in the Northwest. This is a very spiritually dark area and I really believe that is going to take God's people getting "really" serious and entering into spiritual warfare to bring down the strongholds of this area. So along with the 40 Days of Fire and outreach we did a Blessing the Community service. This past Sunday was a day of Harvest and we had 9 first time visitors and 3 of them received the Holy Spirit for the first time!!!! After church we held a drawing and "blessed" our guest with $25 gift cards to various places. This was so awesome for our little church. We are really excited about what God is doing in Souls Harbour.

This past Tuesday our six became five again. Boo!!! Miss Emily felt it was time for her to go back to Texas so after a lot of tears and prayers her and her dad left for home. Joel and I are at peace with her decision although we are going to miss her big time!!! Because Emily took our third bedroom all three of the girls were in one room. So after Em left we moved Alyssa and Livvy into the other room which they love. Oh and this morning we were making the bed and Alyssa said it's so good to sleep in Emily's room. So Em you will always have a room in our house. :)

More big news....I am going back to work. It has 15 months since my last day at Ross. I have loved being at home with the girls but financially it has been hard. I had been considering different options when my old boss called me and asked if I would be willing to come back and work for him so I took that as a open door from God. The next step was finding child care for Livvy and Amelia. I asked God to open that door and as it happens Chad's wife {Chad is my boss} will be watching the girls. Next Wednesday will be my first day and I must admit I am little nervous, not for me but for my Amelia. She thinks we are attached at the hip and I'm not sure how she will react to someone else keeping her. Thankfully it will only be for 4 hours a day. Here's hoping....

Okay so I am winding down now. Snow, snow and more snow!!!! It has been snowing since last Saturday. OH MY WORD!!! Apparently we haven't had a snow storm like this since the 1940's. Hundreds of schools and businesses are closed. Alyssa has been home all week and Joel for 2 days. It's been like a mini stay cation only without all the comfort food that I miss right now. I'm thinking on Saturday I'll be making a yummy dessert!!!

Okay one more thing since I LOVE to cook and the name of my blog is a "Pot of Beans" I thought I would be cool if at the end of my post I leave you with a new or old delicious recipe. This week I am passing along a recipe from the Daniel's fast. Joel and I really loved this chili. We would eat it even when we weren't on a fast. Let me know what you think.

Thanks for enduring this really long post. I hope you all have a warm cozy day I know I am!! For those of you without snow I thought I would let you enjoy mine. Here are a few pics I took earlier this week and one of the girls today.

Vegetarian Chili

This is a very easy to prepare and hearty meal. I make this even when I’m not on the Daniel Fast! 2 medium-sized green peppers, chopped

1 medium-sized yellow onion, chopped

1 zucchini, sliced

1 yellow squash, sliced

2 tablespoons salad oil

2 tablespoons chili powder

¾ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon ground red peppers

2 cups corn kernels (fresh or frozen)

2 16 oz. cans tomatoes (juice and all)

2 16 oz. cans pinto beans (juice and all)

2 16 oz. cans black beans (juice and all)

1 4 oz. can mild green chilies

1 4 oz. can of tomato paste[When I make this during non-fasting times, I also add 1 tablespoon of sugar with the other spices.]

Chop and sauté in oil the peppers and onions. Add the sliced squashes, chili powder, salt, ground red peppers, and corn. When all the vegetables are soft but still firm, add the tomatoes, all the beans, the green chilies, and the tomato paste. Stir until just blended.Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat. Let simmer for 20 minutes stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Yield: 6 generous servings

A new year a new Blog

Wow it has been so long since the last time I blogged that I had to relearn how to manuever aound in blogger. Whew, that took forever.
For quite a while I have been wanting to start up my blog again. I really want to share with the world about our experiences living in the Northwest and pastoring in the most unchured area in the nation. It is also a great avenue to share about my hobbies and intrest and of course my SweetBeans. So since it is a new year and everyone is making or renewing commitments I thought this would be a great time to renew my blog.
So, as I say when I am cooking "here's hoping".

True to my word, I am bringing you my weekly update. Last night we had 14 people at Bible Study and that was with 2 families gone! This week was our second week to have worship. Joel is currently doing a study in Acts. Last night he covered chapters 9,10,11. Everyone seems to be taking in every lesson.
This past week we preached in Anacortes, WA on Sunday morning and we were in service with our good friends the Ross's on Sunday night. We had two great services, a backslider prayed through Sunday morning.
I have started training for my new job. I will be working in the cash office for Ross. It is very detailed job and it requires being quick and efficient. Say a prayer that everything goes smoothly and this brain of mine cooperates (it's been a long time since I did that much math).
I will leave you with a picture I captured of Alivia. I was preparing Lasagna for dinner tonight and she was so hungry. She kept walking around the kitchen saying "I want my basagna". After a little while I noticed she was quiet and this was what I saw. She had fallen asleep "praying" for some "basagna".
Have a great week!

Four months Later

Okay, so I thought once we settled in our apartment and got all situated that life would slow down. I thought we would relinquish our old evangelizing routine and find a normal one. I thought I would have time to cook wonderful meals, keep my house clean, sew for my girls, plant a garden, work at my job, prepare for Bible Studies, entertain guests, attend district functions and still have time to Blog. BOY WAS I WRONG!! Why didn't somebody warn me that although I would live like a normal American family time would not slow down and in fact my life would just get busier. I said all that to say I'm sorry my fellow bloggers that it has taken me so long to post again.
I will not tell you every detail of the last four months, but I will give you the highlights.

Family first. We are well. We love Seattle. We have gone to see many of it's sights. There is so much to do in this city. The weather has been HOT and we just got an ac two days ago. They say we are going back to our normal 77 next week. Hurry next week. The girls are growing like weeds. They love their room and never want to leave home. They have made many friends in WA and love being with them. Alyssa starts school next month and she is so excited. Me on the other hand---I miss my baby. Joel has exceeded my expectations as a pastor. He is so passionate at what he does. I love it when I hear someone call him pastor. It's just beautiful. Me, well I have been working as a caregiver but I recently quit my job and I'm going to work for Ross. We are getting ready to go The Apostolic Conference Aug 18th in Madison Mississippi. This is in extraordinary conference for Home Missionaries.

For those who don't know our church name is Church of Acts. We chose that name because we want to pattern ourselves after the early church. We want to be a church that you would find in the Book of Acts. We were having Monday night Bible Studies in our home, but we out grew our little apartment. So we are now renting two school rooms. One for me where I teach in Kids ACTion Hour. The other for Joel and the adults. We have fellowship after every Bible Study where I bring dessert, sweet tea and coffee. Last Monday we had 19 people and that is with a family being absent. We have also started having worship. Our people are really responding. God is doing awesome things. I love being a Home Missionary. It is thrilling to watch God work. You can view our church website at www.actschurchseattle.org. Thank you Bro. Todd Shahan for helping us get our website up. My husband has also joined bloggerville you can view it at joelbean.wordpress.com.

Many of you are praying for us and we want you to know that we feel the effects those prayers and we thank you for your support. We couldn't make it in this great city if weren't for you behind us. Please continue to pray. We are in need of a second vehicle.

My goal is to update on Tuesday's the day after our Bible Study. We get lots of phone calls on Tuesdays from people who want to know how Monday night went. So pray I get some time to type. LOL!

We made It

Here I am writing a post for my blog while sitting in my new home (apartment). We finally arrived in Seattle on Saturday afternoon. The wonderful men from Mt. Vernon, WA met us here and helped unload the truck and put our beds together. A great big thank you to Pastor Ross and his church.
It took about 3 days but we have unpacked and put everything in it's place. I must say we have a beautiful home. We could not have done it without my mom. She has been a great blessing to us these past few weeks.
Our first morning here we woke up to a blanket of snow. It was so pretty although it did not last long. It is still cold and rainy here. I don't think spring will make her appearance her for a little while yet.
I had mentioned to several of you about a position I had applied for here in Seattle. Well, I got the job and had orientation on Tuesday and started work today. Right now until I get a more permanent shift I will just be filling in for other caregivers. I think I will stay busy, buy I really need a more steady shift. Please keep this in your prayers. I know God will work everything out.
I feel like I'm in a dream and I keep checking to see if this really real. We are so excited to be here. I've had so much fun buying things for my house and driving around in my city. Thank You Jesus for all you've done to get us here. I know the greatest harvest this city has ever had is about to begin.
Thank you to all of you who have helped us to get here. Ashley and Amber thank you so much for packing clothes and more clothes. Eddie, Zach and Daddy thank you for packing the truck.
Bro and Sis. Loveland the beds fit perfectly and the girls love them. Those that gave us offerings thank you so much. We were able to buy our bedroom suite (Joel and I have never had one) and put down our deposit for the apartment. You were such a blessing to us. To all who have joined with us in fasting and prayer. Thank you, Thank you. Prayer is the most powerful thing you can do for us. We love and apperciate you all.

WE'RE MOVING

The apartment was found. Old boxes gone through. One of which contained the silly writings of a boy crazed girl who had doodled her love's name and the name of their child in her Home Economics spiral. I will not reveal any names. The new boxes are being packed. Alyssa and Alivia's bed is getting a fresh coat of paint. (A big thank you to the Loveland's for the girl's Big new bed.) The Penske Truck rented (by far the best deal if you are moving across the country). The movers are a bit stressed right now. There is so much to be done and so little time.

We pack the truck on Tuesday and we leave early Wednesday. We are driving to California first to pick up more boxes (oh my stars) and Joel will be preaching at his brother's church in Chula Vista.
We are then off to San Jose to see Joel's Uncle Jimmy and his family. And then on to our beloved city and new home. We will be met by the Pastor and family and men of Victory Pentecostal Church of Mt. Vernon, WA. They will be helping us unload and move into our new home.

The time has finally come and although we have experienced every feeling from exictment to panic we feel a peace that passes all understanding. God is in control and although there are things we are yet sure about, we know "all things will work together for good".
Thank you to those who have text or called to say you are praying for us. You will never know how much of a strength this has been for us.
When I post next I will be sitting in my new home. YEAH!! Love you guys.

House Hunting

We got into Seattle about 6:oo pm this evening and we are now at our good friends the Ross Clan. After 6 hours in the air we are tired and yet anxious for tomorrow. We meet with our realtor in the morning. Mark is taking us around the city and showing us neighborhoods. There is also another contact who is interested in renting to us.
We will be job searching as well. We covet your prayers this week that God will lead us to the right area and provide jobs as well.
This evening as we drove over the hill and saw Seattle before us the reality began to sink in. It was almost a little overwhelming, but as drove into the city I prayed for God to give us a harvest. I felt a peace that God is at work in MY city.
We will keep you posted as things unfold.

Our Last Revival

This week is our last revival as Evangelists. We are in Houma, La with our good friends Chad and Amy Ducote and their new baby Gracie. We had a wonderful service on Sunday and we are looking forward to another one tonight.
Today as I write this post I am filled with a bitter sweetness. The past eight years have been some of the hardest and greatest of my life. Evangelizing has not been an easy life, but it has been so rewarding. There were times when we lived on rolls of change we had been given by Joel's grandparents. Another time we went to buy groceries and had absolutely no money. But out of those times came a deep trust in God. During those times God would require us to lean on him and he always came through. Through whatever hard ache we endured God always made up the difference. It wasn't always monetarily though. We had great miracles happen. We saw blind eyes open, deaf ears unstopped, pain leave bodies instantly, healings from dieseases, deliverance from drugs, acohol,ciggaretts, depression and many miracles we don't even know about. I could never put a price on the worth of seeing a new soul recieve the Holy Ghost. God has been so good to us. I will cherish these last eight years forever.
Next week we embark on a new journey. Joel and I fly out on Tuesday to put a deposit on a home and possibly go to job interviews. We covet your prayers so much. We absolutely want God to lead us as we go. We want God to send us to the right house, the right location, the right jobs. I feel so inadiquate when I think of the job before, but this I know God will not send me where he will not equipe me. Just today Joel, said I can't wait to get to Seattle. That has been the way we have felt for months and now the time has come. We are planning the move for the last week of Feburary. Please keep us in your prayers. We love you all and thank you for your love and support.

I Did It

I did it, I'm officially a Certified Nursing Assistant!!! I took my final examination and passed!!! I have to say it was worth the hard work. I feel good about myself for achieving this goal. Now I can begin applying for a job in Seattle.
We our planning our move for the second week of February if all goes well. We are busy looking for jobs and a home to rent. Say a prayer that God will open all the right doors. I am so excited to see what he has in store for us.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone!! We spent a nice evening at my in-laws home last night. We enjoyed a turkey dressing dinner. Thank you Mom!! And then while the little kids ran through the house creating chaos we adults played Apples to Apples. Afterward we watched a New Years Eve service on-line. We have had a blast being with our family in California. The grandchildren have played and sang and entertained for us. The guys have played Acquire until the wee hours of the morning. We girls have ate, cooked, shopped and laughed. We dread having to leave in a few days.
When I think about last year and all the changes that occurred I am most thankful for God's keeping power. We had some really exciting happenings and then some devastating ones but through it all God has kept us. No matter what the circumstance God has been in control and we came through.
I am excited about the New Year, I can't wait to see what it holds. I know going to Seattle will be challenging, but God goes with us. Just like last year what ever happens God will keep us through it all.
Once again Happy New Year my friends. I love you all and wish you a wonderful year to come and remember what ever happens God is always in control.

Merry Christmas

Christmas Time, it's the most wonderful time of the year. The Bean family wishes you and yours the the very merriest Christmas.

We are in California and I finally have a few free moments to sit and just do whatever I want. Joel is still sleeping and the girls are playing with their cousin Emma. There is no homework to do or test to study for. Yeah!! Wednesday was my last night of school. Hallelujah!! I have to say I really enjoyed going to school and I'm seriously considering going on to get my LVN. Thursday we celebrated Christmas with my family since this is the year we will all be with our husbands families. This is the first Christmas in 29 years my parents will be without us girls. We had a delightful time being together as always. I'm very thankful for my beautiful family. The guys are so much fun when their all together and sisters are just the greatest friends God could give to a girl. My parents are so sweet to all of us. They always do whatever they can to make sure we are all well taken care of.

We left Friday for California. We drove straight through and made it in 3:00 Saturday afternoon.
We are already having a wonderful time with Joel's family. We are going to the Church's Christmas Musical tonight and have dinners and holiday festivities planned.
I wish you all wonderful Christmas full of love and good cheer.

Alivia's Birthday Party

Happy Birthday Alivia

Roses are Red
Violets are Blue
Today Alivia turns two

What a joy you bring to our lives. With your curly hair and round checks you are the talk of the town. We love to hear you parrot what everyone around you is saying. You are never cuter than when you are carrying your naked baby doll or walking in someone else's shoes. We love you so much,
Happy Birthday
Mommy, Daddy and Alyssa

Well, if I wan't busy before, I surely am now. I have decided to go back to school to get my CNA (certified nursing assistant) certification. This will allow me to work a little more extensively in Home Health and also make more many. I really love what I do and with this certification I will be able to find work in Seattle. It was just a God thing that I could go to school and be done by the time we are ready to leave for Washington.
At every turn, God is providing for us in order to get to Seattle. With our economy the way it is we were not expecting to sell our trailer, but again God has orchestrated a way for us. Because of Hurricane Ike many homes sustained extensive damage. We received a call from Houston asking if we would be willing to lease out our trailer and eventually sell to a family while their home is being repaired. The amount is about twice what we thought we could get and we are hoping to use that money to use as a house payment in Seattle. God is so good to take care of every detail for his people.
Last night we closed out an incredible revival in Tomball, TX. Joel has been there for about the last month with the Berentines. The girls and I joined him this past Sunday. We were also joined by Jonathan and Rebeca Bernadini and Jonathan and Julie Haygood. You can imagine what kind of service it was with three evangelist couple present. Incredible is just what it was. It was so good to see old friends as well. We fellowshipped until 1:30 in the morning and we hated to leave. The precious people of Tomball took up a sacrificial offering for us to aid us in going to Seattle as well as committing to fast and pray our our behalf. This church will never know how much their support means to us.
Speaking of going to Seattle we have a church name, Seattle Apostolic Sanctuary. What do you think?
So from the future pastor's wife of Seattle Apostolic Sanctuary, have great week.

Divine Direction and More

Here we are entering fall and here I am entering my monthly post.  LOL!!  This summer has been crazy, but it seems that things could be slowing down.  

Last time we blogged we were in Mississippi seeking direction from God.  I wont tell you the whole story, but I will tell you God spoke directly telling us we are to go to Seattle.   God spoke again to Joel while he was preaching in Tomball, Texas two weeks ago.  Now we know whatever we come up against we are called by God and there will be a church in Seattle.   We cannot wait to get there, but we know we have a lot of work to do before we go.  We will be in Wichita Falls until we are able to move.  Joel will still be preaching out while I get our trailer and Suburban ready to sell.   This brings me to the next bit of news.  After seven and half years I have reentered the work force.  I work Greater Life Care Giving as private health care provider.  I love my job.  I work 9-3 Monday through Friday.   This experience is something that I can take to Seattle.  I believe this job was orchestrated by God.

One week ago today my wonderful sister and the love of her life were married.  It was a beautiful wedding and I must say the most fun wedding I've ever been to.  Congratulations Amber and Zachary!!!  We love you both and wish you the best.

This past Wednesday Joel's cousin and close friend Justin Jones passed away.  He died of  a brain aneurism.  Justin was just 30 years old.  To make matters worse he lived in Humble and as most of you know Houston was just hit with Ike.  The family is very distraught and is in desperate need of prayer right now.  

I believe that covers all the news .  Hopefully between working, raising a family, and starting a church I'll be able to find time to blog more.  Yall pray for me.  LOL!!  

Divine Pause

Bro. Greg Godwin (who by the way has a cool name God --win. Get it. God always Wins.) preached at Idaho campmeeting about being in a divine pause. That was the service that impacted me the most because Joel and I have entered into a divine pause.
As most of you know in April we were appointed Home Missions to Seattle. Well, this summer we were presented with another opportunity. It would be a very exciting endeavor, provided it becomes the Lord's will. Therein lies the challenge, finding God's will. By nature, I am a planner and I have to map out my day, week, month to survive. Kind of funny since I'm an evangelist wife. So to not know what is going to happen in our ministry has tested me to the limits. I am confident that God's will is going to be done. Every day when I wake I have to surrender both situations and my will to HIM. I don't know any other way to make it through this pause.
We are in Madison, MS at the Apostolic Conference. It is a conference especially for Home Missionaries. The church is doing a fabulous job of taking care of us. They provide everything from airfare to food and even clothes. (Thank God cause we came here naked!! LOL!!) Everything has been first class.
The men and women I have met this week our my heroes. I know what they go through. Joel and I have preached for many Home Missionaries even some of the ones who are here. These people give their lives to start a work for God. They literly give blood, sweat, and tears to see a church raised up. It is a high honor to be among these men and women of God.
We are here not only to gain spiritual insite about the work of God, but also to hear from God. The past few weeks has made us step back and reevaluate our life. We are desperate to know what step to take next whatever it may be.
Please pray for us. Although this is a stressful time we really our excited about what God has in store. Which ever way God leads we know that great things are going to happen. God has spoken promises to us and we know that His word will not return void unto Him.

On The Road Again

It has been so long since I last posted that I won't even try to update you all on what has happened. Just suffice it to say we have been very busy.
After very much needed vacation in Texas which by the way was wonderful, we are back on the road. We have been to Boise, ID to Lewistown, Id from there to Idaho Camp Meeting to Oregon and on to Washington this week for another revival in Ellensburg.
Bro. Kantola is doing very good and has been back to pastoring since May. So it appears we are finished there in Boise.
We will be on the road traveling for the next few weeks leading up to Amber and Zach's wedding. There that's it in a nutshell. I will post a few pics from our trips later this week.
There I have updated. I wish you all a wonderful week.
P.s. Joel got a call today from Bro. Holt today saying that their church is still seeing the effects of our revival there. There are still reports of healings comming in. Isn't our God good!!!

Texas Fun

Having fun in Texas

Yahoo!! We made it to Texas (my luggage finally made it in on Monday) and we are having fun!! I will try to post as often as possible for my beloved Joel who is still in revival in Idaho. He will be joining us on Monday (I will post that week also). You all are welcome to join us on our Texan vacation.

Sunday was Father's Day and we enjoyed a nice family dinner at Hunan's. It was a little hectic for me because I did not have my luggage and spent most of the day trying to locate it. I ended up having to buy clothes just before church because it still hadn't arrived at the time it was scheduled to.

Monday my mom and grandfather Parker got the girl's alligator swimming pool set up. The girls were so excited to swim they couldn't wait for the water to warm up. So in they went. It was 105 so we only let them swim for a little while. Eddie and Ashley and baby Heidi came over for we enjoyed a yummy dinner of squash caserole and fried okra salad. After dinner all three of the girls got in their suits and headed for the pool. Talk about bathing beauties!!! We enjoyed a wonderful evening of just being together.

Today we was just a do whatever day. We went to lunch at Pat's Drive Inn (does anybody else gain weight when they go home) and then just ran errand's in town. When Mom, Ashley, the girls and I got home Amber had just finished making mint Oreo shakes. Double Yumm!!! It was just another evening of being together. Believe it or not the weather was kinda cool so Eddie hit golf balls around in the yard us girls just watched and talked.

That's all for today. I think tommorrow is sewwing day. Mom is making Alyssa's dress for my sister's wedding and I'm making me a skirt (for just because I need one).

Stay to tuned to our Texas vacation because we have some exciting events planned for the rest of the trip.